Protests at ports after P&O Ferries sack 800 people
There are protests in ports across the UK
Last updated 18th Mar 2022
Protests are taking place at ports in Dover, Hull and Liverpool today, after P&O ferries sacked 800 staff and replaced them with cheaper agency workers.
The immediate move to cut staff comes after the company made a £100-million year-on-year loss.
Services have been suspended as staff protest to demand action against the companies’ decision.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union said there should be a widespread public and commercial boycott of the ferry giant until the jobs are reinstated.
The RMT called on the Government to demand P&O reverse its decision and hold negotiations with the unions so that jobs and services can be reinstated.
P&O protests
Our reporter Rebecca Quarmby is at the protest in Hull, where she is met with members of the union, MPs and staff who have lost their job.
In Northern Ireland a crowd have gathered at Larne Harbour to protest:
In Liverpool protests have been joined by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham:
Staff staying on vessels
Labour MP Karl Turner posted a photograph on social media showing the captain of Pride of Hull addressing workers on the ship.
Mr Turner wrote: "They have support right across the city of Hull and the rest of the country, and are determined to stay on board for as long as it takes."
“Employment terminated with immediate effect”
Sailings were halted on Thursday morning and would remain suspended "for the next few days", P&O Ferries told passengers.
P&O Ferries said in a statement: "We have made a £100 million loss year-on-year, which has been covered by our parent, DP World. This is not sustainable.
P&O Ferries, which transports passengers and freight, operates four routes: Dover to Calais; Hull to Rotterdam; Liverpool to Dublin; and Cairnryan, Scotland, to Larne, Northern Ireland.
Some of those who lost their jobs were informed of the decision on a video call from a P&O official who said: "The company has made the decision that its vessels going forward will be primarily crewed by a third-party crew provider.
"Therefore, I am sorry to inform you that this means your employment is terminated with immediate effect on the grounds of redundancy."
Unions concerned about sacking process
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "No one should be laid off with zero notice and no consultation, let alone a whole workforce. P&O's secret plan to sack their workers is reprehensible and unlawful.
"When an employer lays off more than 100 staff at once they must consult workers and unions in advance and they are required to notify the Secretary of State in writing in advance too. The Government must urgently explain what they knew and when.
"If P&O breached the law they must suffer severe consequences, with ministers increasing the legal penalties if necessary. If one employer gets away with this, every worker is at risk."
Tom Long, partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, said: "Where an employer plans to make 20 or more redundancies, there is a requirement for a period of consultation with employee representatives, such as a trade union. That period is 45 days, where 100 or more redundancies are planned in any one location.
"As such, P&O would be expected to undergo this process before making any mass dismissals. It's not evident whether this has happened, although it would appear not."
Manuel Cortes, Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary, said: "This is absolutely despicable behaviour from P&O, designed to reduce pay and worsen terms and conditions for their staff. They should be ashamed of themselves, treating loyal and hardworking staff like this."
P&O ferries make huge job cuts
Politicians and workers expressed their outrage at the decision, many refused to leave ships and security guards were deployed with handcuffs to remove them.
The company insisted the decision to cut jobs was "very difficult but necessary" as it was "not a viable business" in its current state.
Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) general secretary Mick Lynch said: "We are seeking urgent legal action and are again calling for the Government to take action to stop what is fast turning into one of the most shameful acts in the history of British industrial relations."
In the Commons, Transport Minister Robert Courts said the company's actions were "wholly unacceptable".
"I am extremely concerned and frankly angry at the way workers have been treated by P&O," he said.
Conservative MP Huw Merriman, who chairs the Commons Transport Select Committee, urged the Government to do "everything it can to ensure that this appalling employment transaction cannot be completed".
He added: "Concern remains as to whether this is lawful."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said his officials "will be having urgent discussions with P&O about the situation, particularly of concern for their workers".
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